East China Normal grads with the school’s president Chen Qun, on June 15. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Shanghai Maritime University grads having a “Yes, we made it!” moment. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Fudan university students capturing the graduation experience. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A Kenyan student getting her Fashion Design BA at Donghua University, on July 4. [Photo provided to China Daily]

It’s graduation time in Shanghai, a time when most students pick up their belongings and say goodbye to their university, but for many of them from foreign countries, it’s not simply a matter of claiming a certificate or a degree or the success of graduating after acquiring a great deal of knowledge.

It’s also about getting to know China, its culture, history, politics and social development and most likely, these students will take their Chinese experiences back home with them where it will benefit others.

They have most likely made many friends in their few years in Shanghai and have seen friendships grow and mature as they break cultural barriers and endure hardships together.

So, the Shanghai experience is more than just a degree – it’s a new vision, a new way of looking at things, new social relations, and probably a new future.